There are two types (Class 1 and class 2)
in Korean Driver's License. Those two
types differ depending on what kind of
car you will be driving. In order to obtain
the license, you need to pass three types
of tests; a written test, course-driving test,
and a road test. You can take tests in
license examination offices and institute.

■ Procedure for the acquisition of
driver's license

『Road Traffic Authority Driver's License
website (http://dl.koroad.or.kr) →
driving test information → procedure for
getting a license』
Detail information for the procedure of each step will be obtained. Also through its website, civil application,
test application, license information inquiries and application of issue are possible.

Each police station in Incheon operates a driver's license class for multicultural family (married immigrants and
children), foreign workers and foreign students and you can call each police station to ask program schedule and detail contents.

(2) The case of switching from foreign driver's license to domestic driver's license

• The switching from foreign driver's license to domestic driver's license is possible roughly in 130 nations that make
contract mutual agreement and the license's distinction between truth and false is confirmed through required document
which is issues by foreign Korean embassy, through aptitude test (physical examination) and examinations of subject,
domestic driver's license will be issued or exchanged. (Exemption from subject examination for countries whose driver's
licenses are accepted in Korea)

• International acquired license can be recognized the validity under the full license which remains the available period.
Temporary licenses or Practice licenses can not be exchanged and issued into a domestic license.
- Where to apply : DMV Nationwide

※ Countries whose driver's licenses are recognized in Korea
Korea recognizes the driver's licenses of certain countries and issues the Korean driver's license without requiring
applicants to take any tests. The National Police Agency announces a list of these countries every year.
· The driver's license which is issued the country which accepts Korean driver's license : only aptitude test (physical
examination) will be done.
· The driver's license which was obtained from the nations not accept Korean driver's license : aptitude test (physical
examination) and multiple choice (20 questions) will be done.
· Others : Exchange or issue of foreign driver's license is limited to domestic regular Class 2 license

He who obtains a international driver's license can drive in Korea within the validity period (1 year from the entry date),
only vehicle model which is written in the international driver's license can be driven.

(4) Vehicle registration and insurance

① Vehicle registration
• New registration
- After purchasing of vehicle, new registration has to be done in the gu office of residence address
- New registration will be substituted by dealer with free of charge, and required document is same as Korean.
(Identification required)
- Before official registration is done, a temporary license plate is issued then it is possible to drive for a vehicle in
10 days.

② Car insurance (liability insurance)
- In the purchase of a car, the liability insurance must be joined and in case of an accident should be prepared for.
- As insurance money is different depending on the ensured contents, so a driver should choose a correct insurance
which is fitted for driver's own driving style and be joined.
• Car liability insurance
Car owners driving a car with two other people dead or should be mandatory liability insurance to pay reparations
to the victims in case of injury (Cars Damages Act Article 5)
• Without joining (delay) the liability insurance, penalty imposition standard (2015.3 standard)

Division

Not joined within 10 days

Not joined exceeding 11 days

Maximum Fine

Private Car

15,000won

Additional Cost: 6000 per day

900,000won

Commercial Vehicle

65,000won

Additional Cost: 18,000 per day

2,300,000won

Motorcycle

9,000won

Additional Cost: 1,800 per day

300,000won

- After the period of joining a member of liability insurance, even 1 day is delayed to be a member then the penalty of
liability insurance will be imposed.
- If a driver is found out 1 time without joining of liability insurance, over 400,000 won fine is imposed and within
1 year, found out over 2 times, sent to the prosecutor's office.